[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4989-4990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2558]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Floodplain Statement of Findings for Operable Unit 5 Remedial 
Action at the Fernald Environmental Management Project

AGENCY: Department of Energy (DOE), Fernald Environmental Management 
Project.

ACTION: Floodplain statement of findings.

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SUMMARY: This is to give notice of DOE's planned actions for the 
Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), located approximately 
18 miles (29 kilometers) northwest of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The 
subject of this Floodplain Statement of Findings is the Operable Unit 5 
Remedial Action. DOE proposes to protect human health and the 
environment by excavating and consolidating contaminated soil and 
sediment within an on-property, above-grade disposal facility. 
Excavation and construction activities associated with implementation 
of this action would involve the floodplain along Paddys Run in 
Hamilton County, Ohio. In accordance with Executive Order 11988 and 10 
CFR part 1022, DOE prepared a floodplain/wetland assessment describing 
the effects, alternatives and measures designed to avoid or minimize 
potential harm to or within the affected floodplain. The assessment 
found that the proposed action would have minimal temporary or long-
term impacts on the floodplain.

DATES: Written comments must be received by the DOE at the following 
address on or before February 18, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments and/or requests for further information, 
including a site map, to: Mr. David Kozlowski, Associate Director, 
Office of Safety & Assessment, U.S. Department of Energy, Fernald 
Environmental Management Project, PO. Box 538705,

[[Page 4990]]

Cincinnati, Ohio 45253-8705. Phone: (513) 648-3187; Facsimile: (513) 
648-3077.

FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information on general DOE floodplain 
and wetland environmental review requirements, contact: Ms. Carol 
Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy & Assistance, EH-42, U.S. 
Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20585. Phone: (202) 586-4600 or 1-800-472-2756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This Floodplain Statement of Findings for 
the Operable Unit 5 Remedial Action at the FEMP has been prepared in 
accordance with Executive Order 11988, ``Floodplain Management,'' and 
10 CFR part 1022, ``DOE Regulations for Compliance with Floodplain/
Wetland Environmental Review Requirements.'' A Notice of Floodplain/
Wetland Involvement was published in the Federal Register (FR) on April 
17, 1995 (60 FR 19238) and a floodplain/wetland assessment was 
incorporated in the Operable Unit 5 Feasibility Study. DOE is proposing 
to protect human health and the environment by excavating contaminated 
soil and sediment to prevent leaching of contaminants into the Great 
Miami Aquifer.
    In addition, DOE is proposing to extract and treat contaminated 
groundwater, along with collection and treatment of contaminated 
stormwater runoff. In order to eliminate the threat of a release to 
Paddys Run, excavation may occur within the floodplain, depending on 
the extent of soil contamination in this area. Direct physical impact 
to the floodplain would result from the operation of heavy equipment 
during excavation of contaminated soil and sediment, and construction 
of a stormwater basin within the floodplain. Potential indirect impacts 
to the 100- and 500-year floodplains, as a result of remedial 
activities involving soil excavation and construction of the stormwater 
basin, include surface water runoff and sediment deposition into the 
floodplain. Several alternatives were considered and evaluated in 
making this determination, including: no action; excavation and off-
site shipment; excavation and on-property engineered disposal facility 
with off-site disposal of waste exceeding waste acceptance criteria 
(the preferred alternative); and excavation and on-property 
consolidation with an earthen cover with off-site disposal of waste 
exceeding waste acceptance criteria. Direct and indirect impacts would 
occur during the implementation of any action alternatives considered. 
However, minimal or no permanent change in flood elevations would be 
expected from any of the alternatives. The proposed remedial action has 
been designed to conform to applicable Federal and State regulations, 
including floodplain protection standards. Before this action begins, 
approval would be obtained from Federal and State agencies having 
jurisdiction.
    DOE has determined that there is no practicable alternative to the 
proposed remedial action and that this action has been designed to 
minimize harm to the 100- and 500-year floodplains of Paddys Run. 
Engineering controls (e.g., silt fences, straw bales) will minimize any 
indirect impacts such as runoff and sediment deposition to the 
floodplain. Backfilling and regrading activities following the Operable 
Unit 5 Remedial Action will eliminate any long-term adverse impacts and 
would be implemented during remedial activities to avoid/minimize any 
environmental impacts.

    Issued in Miamisburg, Ohio on January 23, 1997.
Susan L. Smiley,
NEPA Compliance Officer, Ohio Field Office.
[FR Doc. 97-2558 Filed 1-31-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P